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In a January 7th letter to the Editor of the Pneumonology Journal, the six co-authors of the text cited below highlight the lack of scientific data on the incidence of asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) in sub-Saharan countries. Attempting to start the discussion off, two ARDs cases from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were discussed. Patient 1 was diagnosed with mesothelioma which was, so the authors speculated, caused by environmental exposure to asbestos in Lubudi or occupational exposure as an auto mechanic. Patient 2 was diagnosed with asbestosis having worked for 21 years at an asbestos-cement factory. See: Asbestos-related diseases in Africa: sentinel cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis from DR Congo.

The Legislative Assembly of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is considering a bill submitted by Congressman Gustavo Victorino banning the use of asbestos-containing products by public bodies. Despite a Supreme Court (STF) 2017 verdict that prohibited asbestos use, toxic products remain within the built environment. “For this reason,” Congressman Victorino said “it is necessary to adopt measures that ensure the replacement of materials containing asbestos that have already been installed, in a technical and safe manner, in line with current legislation and the STF decision.” See: Projeto proíbe o uso de produtos à base de amianto nos órgãos da administração pública do RS [Bill prohibits the use of asbestos-based products by public administration bodies in RS].

The price being paid in human health for the profits of India’s thriving asbestos sector remains unquantified in the world’s largest asbestos importing country. Asbestos producers and trade associations representing the industry aggressively deny that the use of white asbestos (chrysotile) is dangerous. Ailing workers and their families disagree. Mareena Hawkes of Coimbatore, India is convinced that the cancers and ill health experienced by her deceased father-in-law, her husband, her daughter and many others were due to occupational and environmental asbestos exposures. See: Hidden disease in the world’s largest asbestos importer.

Korea’s Environment Ministry issued a recall on January 14 after detecting chrysotile (white) asbestos in brake pads sold on AliExpress, an e-commerce online marketplace. The illegal automotive parts were suitable for use on a range of cars including those sold by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and Honda and Suzuki motorcycles. According to a spokesperson for the ministry, asbestos had previously been found in products sold on domestic e-commerce platforms such as Coupang and Gmarket. In 2024, an official audit identified the sale of the toxic parts also on AliExpress. See: Environment Ministry finds asbestos in car, motorcycle brake pads sold on AliExpress.

The article cited below, which was published last month, revealed that two mesothelioma sufferers had filed claims over asbestos exposures experienced at the Palace of Westminster prior to 1992. Queries to the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons about these cases elicited no further information. It is likely there will be more cases as asbestos-containing products were used throughout the House of Commons and the House of Lords and multiple incidents of toxic exposures have been reported to the authorities. See: Asbestos and The Palace of Westminster.

The 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on January 17th led to many articles about the consequences of that disaster. Whilst the destruction of thousands of buildings in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture and the Hanshin region were obvious at that time, the damage caused by exposures to asbestos liberated during the earthquake is only now becoming manifest. See: 阪神・淡路大震災から30年、アスベストによる健康被害の疑いはこれまで知られてきた人数の３倍以上と判明… [Thirty years after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, it has been revealed that the number of people suspected of suffering from health damage due to asbestos is more than three times higher than previously known...].

Despite a 2017 verdict by Brazil’s Supreme Court outlawing the production, processing and use of asbestos, mining operations in the city of Minaçu continue under an illegal exemption granted by the State of Goiás. Brazil is now the world’s third largest asbestos producer and it seems the Court has lost the inclination to shut down an industry which is liberally dispensing contributions to politicians and others. The consequences for the workers and the townspeople are as predictable as they are dire as the story of one asbestos victim, referred to as B, illustrates. This is a devastating and timely article which deserves to be read. See: Proibido no Brasil, amianto ganha sobrevida com 'lei própria' em Goiás [Banned in Brazil, asbestos gains a new lease of life with its own law in Goiás].

Pursuant to the Kenyan Government’s asbestos eradication program, this week the Member of Parliament for Nyeri town, Duncan Maina, announced the start of work to decontaminate local primary schools at a public event held at Kwanderi school. The toxic roofing is being replaced with iron sheets. Commenting on the import of this progressive program, the MP said: “We are changing this to rescue our environment, our children and the local community from the hazards of asbestos.” See: MP embarks on removal of asbestos roofs in primary school.

On January 11, 2025, the Flemish Minister of Education Zuhal Demir announced that the regional government would now fully cover the costs of asbestos removal in all school buildings. Previously, school authorities could only recoup up to 70% of the costs. “We are,” the Minister said “doing this to protect the most vulnerable, our children, who spend a lot of time in school buildings, which should be a safe and healthy environment.” The sum of €5.4 million (US $5.5m) per year has been allocated for the eradication program. See: Flanders to pay full price for asbestos removal in region's schools.

A dispute over historic asbestos removal costs have led Reading Council to issue a legal action at the High Court to recover an alleged debt of £500,000 (US$607,700) from Highdown School and Sixth Form Center. According to the school’s solicitor Ryan McGillick, before it became an academy, the council removed asbestos from the school. In 2016, however, the academy learned “that the asbestos removal work that had been undertaken by the claimant prior to the transfer was performed to a very poor standard…” Due to the hefty repair bill faced by the academy an understanding had been reached, the school argued, to write off the debt. The council disagreed. The case remains ongoing. See: Revealed: Asbestos row behind school’s £500k legal stand-off.

A paper about lung cancer (LC) risks which appeared in The Lancet considered the role of asbestos exposure in the LC causation. According to the 11 UK and US authors the data showed that: “alarming [LC] rates remained in the USA, with almost three times higher ASMR [Age-Standardized Mortality Rates] compared to the global average, especially in males. Concerning increases were also seen in India, China, Indonesia, and Pakistan.” The fact that asbestos consumption remained high in India, China and other developing countries was a serious concern. The authors called for a comprehensive worldwide asbestos ban. See: Evolving trends in lung cancer risk factors in the ten most populous countries: an analysis of data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.

A product recall for TRAXXAS radio-controlled trucks was announced by Suffolk Trading Standards on January 9, 2025 after asbestos had been discovered in the brake pads. The range of toy vehicles was sold in the UK from January 1, 2002 until June 10, 2024. In the recall notice, Suffolk Trading Standards said: “The product presents a risk to health as the slipper or brake pads sold as parts or sold installed in the affected radio-controlled vehicles contain chrysotile asbestos.” Even though asbestos has been banned in the UK for decades, contaminated products remain in circulation. See: TRAXXAS radio trucks recalled after asbestos found in brakes.

The article cited below included an update on a public–private partnership in Uganda which is helping rid schools of the hazard posed by the presence of deteriorating asbestos roofing. Welcoming the removal and replacement of toxic roofing on one of the classroom blocks at Walukuba West Primary School, Jinja City its headteacher Ziyadi Tamuzadde said: “These iron sheets will help us replace a roof that poses serious health risks to our learners and staff.” The school is used by 1,000 pupils, among whom are a number of special needs students. See: Indian Firms Ramp Up Efforts to Rid Jinja Schools [of] Asbestos Roofing.

The continued mining and export of asbestos in contravention of a Supreme Court 2017 verdict outlawing the asbestos industry was the focus of the January 10th opinion piece cited below. Condemning the illegal continuation of this toxic industry, Engineer Fernanda Giannasi said: “It’s not just about mining; every load that leaves the mine exposes workers and communities to risk. The persistence of asbestos in the Brazilian logistics chain is a reflection of the ineffectiveness of the laws and the lack of oversight. How long will the transportation and export of this deadly mineral be tolerated?” See: Brasil é o terceiro maior exportador, mesmo com banimento [Brazil is the third largest exporter, despite the ban].

After calls by civil society groups for urgent action on Malaysia’s asbestos hazard, the Government confirmed it had commissioned a study of the environmental and health impacts of asbestos consumption. At the January 11th public launch of his book “Saving the Planet: Climate and Environmental Lessons from Malaysia and Beyond,” Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said: “We will assess how this issue is currently managed under existing legislation and policies. If there are gaps, we may need to improve them.” See: Govt mulls complete ban on use of asbestos.

The Government of Spain’s Balearic Islands is commissioning an asbestos audit to facilitate the eradication of the asbestos hazard via a digital registry which will identify and eliminate this acknowledged carcinogen from public and private buildings. The authorities have set a 2028 deadline for the removal of asbestos from all buildings on the Islands. In addition, measures will be implemented to ensure compliance with national regulations pertaining to waste disposal, contaminated soil, etc. See: The Government calls for a digital census to eradicate asbestos in buildings.

In the run-up to the glitzy 2025 awards season which sees recognition for stars of stage and screen, the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) is acknowledging impactful work of a different kind. Winners of the Screen Actors Guild, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe and Critics Choice receive imposing and tasteful statuettes to mark their successes. Not so the “winners” of the IBAS Devil’s Dust Awards 2025 whose ruthless promotion of an acknowledged carcinogen and/or suppression of victims’ rights have earned them a rather revolting accolade: a virtual avatar appropriately nicknamed the Lucifer. With so many potential candidates, it was hard to chose this year’s “winners.” The entities named in this years Dishonors List come from Brazil, France & Indonesia. Want to know more? Read on. [Read full article]

As recently as 2020, Russia was the world’s leading supplier of asbestos, accounting for 65% of global output. A mere three years later this figure had fallen to 48% with Russian producers facing falling demand and increasing competition. In the December 2024 newsletter produced by Uralasbest, Russia’s second biggest asbestos conglomerate, its General Director explained that among the challenges the company faced in 2024 were bureaucratic hurdles and logistical obstructions – i.e. persistent and continuing disruptions to asbestos cargo rail shipments. What he failed to mention, however, was the progress being achieved by global campaigners which has “significantly reduced the possibility of exporting chrysotile asbestos… [and created] the crisis faced by asbestos-producing businesses.” [Read full article]

Against the backdrop of a continuing decrease in global asbestos consumption, work to quantify and address toxic industrial legacies was continued this year by grassroots campaigners, civil society stakeholders, national, regional and international authorities. Amongst high-profile topics debated in multiple jurisdictions were the asbestos contamination of schools, water delivery systems and the built environment; the risks posed by asbestos in personal hygiene products and cosmetics; and the unregulated and unsafe dumping of asbestos waste. Technological developments and the building of infrastructure by asbestos stakeholders made manifest their intention to continue profiting from asbestos sales despite the health hazards. It is clear that despite our many successes, much work remains to be done. [Read full article]

In light of many positive comments he has made over the last 30+ years about the efficacy of asbestos – eg. “asbestos is the greatest fireproofing material ever used” – international campaigners have been discussing what the new Presidency of Donald Trump could mean for the global asbestos dialogue. Two US experts consulted by the author of this article felt that given the small amount of asbestos used in the US now and the pending abolition of most uses, Trump would have little interest in attacking the new asbestos prohibitions being introduced. One can but hope. [Read full article]

Last week, global ban asbestos groups issued a joint press release in defence of Indonesian activists at the Independent Consumer Protection Institute (LPKSM), the Yasa Nata Budi Foundation and the Indonesian Ban Asbestos Network (INABAN) working to protect the population from deadly exposures to asbestos. In a blatant disregard for occupational and public health, the Fiber Cement Manufacturing Association – a powerful and well-resourced trade association representing the interests of the asbestos industry – is suing the campaigners for “massive damages” after a Supreme Court ruling upheld their petition to mandate labelling on asbestos products. [Read full article]

Mobilization on the asbestos hazard has been ongoing in Pacific Islands Countries and Territories for a number of years with work by personnel from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and partnering organizations bringing positive results, such as the 2024 ban on asbestos imports and use in the Republic of Nauru (gazetted on October 10 and 30, respectively). Significant developments in protecting populations from deadly asbestos exposures have also been achieved in Niue, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In the shadow of the UN’s 29th Climate Change Conference, it is clearer than ever that asbestos technology is neither sustainable nor acceptable and must be banned. [Read full article]

The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) was founded in November 1999 by Laurie Kazan-Allen in collaboration with colleagues in North and Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia to achieve justice for the injured and coalesce the global fight to ban asbestos. Over the next 25 years, this virtual consortium of activists organized, sponsored or participated in events and initiated or supported projects to achieve these objectives on six continents. The article marking IBAS’ 25th anniversary recalled the challenges faced, the memories amassed, the victories achieved and the setbacks faced. Input from global ban asbestos campaigners included in this review delineated the “IBAS Effect” as they experienced it. [Read full article]

On November 19 & 20, 2024, delegates from Southeast Asia, Australia and Japan convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a meeting organized by the Asian Ban Asbestos Network (ABAN), its international and local partners. At the completion of the event, a joint press release was issued calling on the Malaysian Government “to urgently impose an outright ban on all types of asbestos products being manufactured in the country and halt any further imports of chrysotile asbestos fibre.” According to Malaysian trade union official David Arul, asbestos use “persists in several Malaysian industries, exposing countless workers to preventable harm.” [Read full article]

Some might think that the holding last month (October 2024) of a meeting in Russia to progress peace and stability amongst nations belonging to the BRICS coalition might be deemed inappropriate given Russia’s continuing attacks on Ukraine. Nevertheless, representatives of 35 countries and 6 international organizations turned up in droves to the 16th annual BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. The participants were addressed by President Putin who spoke of “mutual respect,” “open dialogue,” and “sovereign policies.” A mysterious article, which appeared and disappeared after a few hours, however, revealed that Russia’s motivation for the creation and support of BRICS was totally self-serving, citing its importance in expanding foreign markets for home-grown asbestos. [Read full article]

In recent weeks there has been a flurry of media coverage in newspapers and online about various aspects of the UK’s asbestos epidemic. Simultaneously, the Daily Mail launched a campaign – Asbestos: Britain's Hidden Killer – to establish a digital national asbestos database to prevent avoidable exposures as part of “a long-term strategic plan to eradicate asbestos risk from British infrastructure.” It’s pretty damning that more than a century after the asbestos hazard was first acknowledged by the British Government, so little has been done. One can but hope that the new 335 MPs, who constitute a majority of the House of Commons, will be more proactive on this deadly workplace hazard than their predecessors. [Read full article]

Proposals to ban asbestos are currently under consideration by the Mexican Congress with a discussion of the latest draft of the Asbestos Eradication Law scheduled for October 24, 2024 in the Legislative Palace. For years medical experts and civil society groups in Mexico have been calling for action on the asbestos hazard. Now that asbestos use has dwindled to 40 tonnes/year, these calls are being acted on. The loss of the Mexican asbestos market will have less of an impact than the loss of support from Mexican asbestos stakeholders who have vigorously participated in initiatives by industry lobbyists to influence national, regional and global asbestos dialogues. [Read full article]

As the 21st century dawned, China was both the world’s second biggest asbestos-consuming (382,315 tonnes/t) and producing (315,000t) country. By 2022, however, annual usage had fallen to 261,000t (a decrease of 32%) and production to 130,000t (a 59% fall). Figures for the last few years corroborated the continued decline. The reason for this U-turn was explained in a paper published last month which stated that China’s official policy on asbestos had undergone a major shift in 2013-14; intriguingly, the co-authors gave no more information and declined to provide footnotes to substantiate this statement. This being the case, the content of another September article was in direct contrast to observed trends. Want to know more…. [Read full article]

Just when you thought you had seen it all, you realize you were wrong. The lengths to which asbestos pushers will go to continue to ride the asbestos gravy train truly knows no bounds. This year, an asbestos trade association – Indonesia’s Fibre Cement Manufacturers’ Association (FICMA) – is trialing a new legal stratagem designed to: counteract a Supreme Court ruling unfavorable to the asbestos sector and cower campaigners brave enough to challenge the industry’s dominance. The audacity of this legal manoeuvre is breathtaking and, to my knowledge, totally unprecedented. The FICMA lawsuit, which targeted the consumers’ protection organization that had petitioned the Supreme Court to mandate Government action on the asbestos hazard, is claiming substantial damages from the NGO for loss of future profits. [Read full article]

Romana Blasotti Pavesi was a member of a club that no one wanted to join; she lost her husband Mario, daughter Maria Rosa, son Ottavio, sister Libera, nephew Enrico and cousin Anna to the asbestos cancer mesothelioma. Only Mario had worked with asbestos. All the others had been exposed to carcinogenic fibers in the built environment and in the air of their home town Casale Monferrato, the municipality at the center of Italy’s asbestos epidemic. In the face of her own losses and those of so many others, Romana dedicated her life to “the fight against asbestos.” The news of Romana’s death, at the age of 95 on September 11, 2024, sparked off intensive media coverage at home and a global outpouring of appreciation from fellow campaigners. [Read full article]

In a place long forgotten by the industrial enterprises which abused its people and polluted their land, a human-made miracle is taking place. From September 2 until September 20, 2024 an asbestos taskforce is providing free health screening for 450 individuals from the towns of Bom Jesus da Serra, Poçes, Caetanos and Planalto in the Brazilian State of Bahia. The bulk of the funding for this program was allocated from money impounded by the Labor Public Ministry from penalties paid by defendants which had been convicted of failing to provide mandatory occupational protections for their workers. [Read full article]

September 3, 2024 marked a turning point in the 30-year French battle for asbestos justice. A struggle to hold to account some of the people responsible for the country’s deadly asbestos epidemic collapsed when the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court) issued a ruling upholding a 2023 dismissal by the Paris Court of Appeals of criminal charges against executives of the country’s biggest asbestos group: Eternit. This was the latest in a series of defeats faced by asbestos victims and their legal representatives. More than a hundred years after Labor Inspector Denis Auribault reported excess mortality of asbestos workers in a textile factory in Condé-sur-Noireau, Calvados, French courts continue to fail the victims. Shame on them! [Read full article]

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Demonstration in Woluwe Park, Brussels, 2006

Under cloudy skies, members of Belgian and French Asbestos Victims' Associations from Dunkirk and Bourgogne marched side-by-side in the third annual demonstration organized by ABEVA, the Belgian Association of Asbestos Victims. Erik Jonckheere, ABEVA's Co-chairman, condemned the government which still refuses to recognize the plight of the asbestos injured.

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